Victron Energy Skylla-ip65 Intelligent Battery Charger Owner's Manual

Skylla-IP65 Intelligent Battery Charger Owner’s Manual
Rev 05 03/2022
This manual is also available in HTML5.

Safety Instructions

General

• Please read the documentation supplied with this product first, so that you are familiar with the safety signs and directions before using the product.
• This product is designed and tested in accordance with international standards. The equipment should be used for the designated application only.

danger of electric shock

• The product is used in combination with a permanent energy source (battery). Even if the equipment is switched off, a dangerous electrical voltage may still be present at the input and/or output terminals. Always disconnect the AC power and the battery before performing maintenance.
• The product contains no internal user-serviceable parts. Do not remove the front panel unless the mains and the battery are disconnected. Do not put the product into  operation unless all panels are fitted. All maintenance should be performed by qualified personnel.
• Never use the product at sites where gas or dust explosions could occur. Refer to the specifications provided by the manufacturer of the battery to ensure that the battery is suitable for use with this product. The battery manufacturer’s safety instructions should always be observed.

do not lift heavy objects unassisted

1.2. Installation

• Read the installation instructions before commencing installation activities.
• This product is a safety class I device (supplied with a ground terminal for safety purposes). Its AC input and/or output terminals must be provided with uninterruptible  grounding for safety purposes. An additional grounding point is located on the outside of the product. If it can be assumed that the grounding protection is damaged,  the product should be taken out of operation and prevented from accidentally being put into operation again; contact qualified maintenance personnel.
• Ensure that the connection cables are provided with fuses and circuit breakers. Never replace a protective device by a component of a different type. Refer to the manual for the correct part.
• Check before switching the device on whether the available voltage source conforms to the configuration settings of the product as described in the manual.
• Ensure that the equipment is used under the correct operating conditions. Never operate it in a wet or dusty environment.
• Ensure that there is always sufficient free space around the product for ventilation, and that ventilation openings are not blocked.
• Install the product in a heatproof environment. Ensure therefore that there are no chemicals, plastic parts, curtains or other textiles, etc. in the immediate vicinity of the equipment.

1.3. Transport and storage

• During storage or transport of the product, ensure that the mains supply and battery cables are disconnected.
• No liability can be accepted for damage in transit if the equipment is not transported in its original packaging.
• Store the product in a dry environment; the storage temperature should range from –20°C to 60°C.
• Refer to the battery manufacturer’s manual for information on transport, storage, charging, recharging and disposal of the battery.

Installation and wiring

2.1. Installation
Find a dry and well-ventilated area to mount the Skylla-IP65 charger and battery. Keep the cable length between the charger and the battery less than 6 meters.
The charger may be wall or floor mounted. Always make sure that air may flow freely at the back side of the cabinet. This will improve cooling of the charger and prolong  lifetime.
Wall mounting
The unit can best be mounted vertical to a wall. See appendix for exact positions of the mounting holes.
Wiring
The inlets for the mains cable, the battery cables, the remote functions and the connection to attach the earth cable are located at the bottom of the housing; see markings on the front panel.

For best protection against water and dust from entering the case, all openings in the grey terminal block should be closed, either with a suitable cable or, when no connection is used, a dummy piece of cable.

Connecting earth
Connect the earth point to the installation earth. Connections to earth have to be according to applicable safety standards.

• On a ship: connect to the earth plate or to the hull of the ship.
• On land: connect to the earth of the mains. The connection to the earth of the mains has to be according to applicable safety standards.
• Mobile applications (a vehicle, a car or a caravan): Connect to the frame of the vehicle.
  The battery connections of the charger are fully floating with respect to this grounding point

2.2. Connecting the main battery
Before the main battery is connected to the charger, make sure the charger is set to the correct battery type.
Minimum cable cross section between main battery and charger:

The largest possible cable lug that will fit through the battery cable glands is size S6-16. That cable lug will suit a maximum cable diameter of 16 mm2 and fit on an M6 bolt.
2.2.1. Main battery connection sequence
The Skylla-IP65 is NOT protected against reverse polarity of the main battery. (“+” connected to “-” and “-” connected to “+”).
Follow the installation procedure. The warranty expires when the Skylla-IP65 becomes defective due to reverse polarity.
Disconnect the mains supply before making or breaking connections to the main battery.

1. Disconnect the mains supply
2. Disconnect battery cables from the battery.
3. Remove the grey cover in the front panel of the charger, enabling access to the terminals.
4. Connect battery cables to the charger: plus (red) to “+BAT1”; minus (black) to “-BAT”
5. Connect battery cables to the battery: plus (red) to positive pole, minus (black) to negative pole.
6. Connect the mains supply.

2.2.2. Main battery disconnection sequence
When disconnecting the battery cables, be very careful not to accidentally short circuit the battery.

1.  Disconnect the mains supply.
2. Disconnect battery cables from the battery.
3. Remove the grey cover in the front panel of the charger, enabling access to the terminals.
4. Disconnect the battery-cables from the charger.
5. Disconnect all other cables like temperature sensor and/or voltage sensor used with this particular battery.

2.3. Connecting the starter battery
The Skylla-IP65 is NOT protected against reverse polarity of the starter battery. (“+” connected to “-” and “-” connected to “+”).
Follow the installation procedure. The warranty expires when the Skylla-IP65 becomes defective due to reverse polarity.
Disconnect the mains supply before making or breaking connections to the main battery.
The starter battery has to be connected using wire of at least 1.5 mm2 (max. 6 mm2 ).
Connect the positive (+) battery-pole to the “Starter battery plus” connector, see Figure 1.
The negative pole of the starter battery has to be connected to the “-BAT” connection of the charger.
The starter battery can draw current from the battery connected to the main battery terminals in case the voltage of the starter battery is lower than the voltage main battery. However, the main battery cannot draw current from the starter battery even when the starter battery is fully charged and the main battery is at minimum charge level.
2.4. Pecan connection
The two Vicon connectors provide access for parallel synchronized parallel operation and remote control.
2.4.1. Synchronized parallel operation
Several charge controllers can be synchronized with the CAN interface to a maximum of 10 chargers. This is achieved by simply interconnecting the chargers with RJ45 UTP cables (bus terminators needed.
The paralleled charge controllers must have identical settings (e.g. charge algorithm). The CAN communication ensures that the controllers will switch simultaneously from one charge state to another (from bulk charge to absorption for example).The output current of one charger may differ from another charger although connected in parallel. In case of using remote sensors (voltage and/or temperature), the remote sensor needs to be connected to one of the parallel operating chargers. All other chargers will share the information via the CAN interface. In case of synchronized parallel operation, the network icon will blink every 3 seconds on all paralleled units.
2.4.2. Input/shore current limit
The AC input current limit of each charger is set to 10,5 A max and can be adjusted with a CCGX device, NMEA 2000 or a Skyla-i-control GX remote panel. See https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-systems-remote-monitoring/skylla-i-control-gx The input power of one charger will never be more than 1050 W. This means that at 100V AC in the input current is max 10,5 A, and at 230V AC the maximum input current is 4,5 A.
The input current limit of a parallel charger group can be set with a CCGX device or with a Skyla-i-control GX remote panel. The current limit as shown on the device is the shore current of the group.
2.5. User relay, external sense and remote shut down
The wiring of these signals must be done with the mains disconnected from the charger.Figure 1 Connectors for external voltage/temperature sensing, Rem. Shut down, Pecan bus and Starter battery.
2.5.1. External voltage sense
External voltage sensing may be used when accurate battery voltage sensing is important, such as high charging currents in combination with long cables.
To connect the external voltage sensing option, proceed as follows:

• connect a red wire (0.75 mm2 ) between the positive battery terminal and connector “+ Volt. sense”
• connect a black wire (0.75 mm2 ) between the negative battery terminal and connector “- Volt. sense”

2.5.2. External temperature sense
The external temperature sensor, supplied with the charger, can be connected to these terminals in order to perform temperature compensated charging of the battery. The sensor is electrically isolated and must be connected to the positive or negative pole of the battery.
To connect the temperature sensor, proceed as follows:

• connect the red wire to connector “+ Temp. sense”
• connect the black wire to connector “
• Temp. sense” – mount the temperature sensor on the positive or negative pole of the battery
• check in the menu for the actual temperature

2.5.3. Remote shut down
From factory the remote + and – are connected together with a jumper wire to turn the charger on.
In order to use the remote to shutdown the charger, remove the jumper and connect a wire to “remote -” input.
Switching the “remote -” input to battery voltage causes the charger to turn on. This wire can be used to connect to a BMS used for lithium batteries to control the charger.
2.5.4. User relay connections
The user relay is triggered by a battery under-voltage situation (<11.8 V). The function may be used for any desirable action: starting a generator, sounding an alarm etc.
The ratings of the relay can be found in the specification.
Table 1. Relay modes

2.6. Connecting the mains

1. Check if the battery is connected to the charger.
2. Remove the grey cover in the front panel of the charger, to access the AC input connector, see Figure 2.
3. Connect the mains earth cable (green/yellow) to the AC input connector, terminal .
4. Connect the mains neutral cable (blue) to the AC input connector terminal N.
5. Connect the mains line cable (brown) to the AC input connector terminal L.

Figure 2 Mains input terminal

Control and Adjustment

When the charger is installed correctly, the charger should be set up to suit the battery connected.
To set up the charger, apply mains power and enter the setup menu by pressing “SETUP” for three seconds.
The charger will enter a standby mode (no power applied to the battery terminals) and the user can set up the unit accordingly. See the next table for all possible adjustments.
3.1. Monitor menu
The monitor menu is visible when power is applied to the charger.The following table shows the consecutive lines when scrolling through the menu with the up/down keys:

Displayed info	Icons	Segments	Units
Battery voltage / current			A
Battery voltage			V
Battery charge current			A
Battery temperature			°C/°F
Mains current			A
Battery voltage out 1			V
Battery charge current out 1			A
Battery voltage out 2			V
Battery charge current out 2			A
Battery voltage out 3			V

Displayed info	Icons	Segments	Units
Battery charge current out 3 *2			A
Warning message*3 *4
Error message*3 *4
BMS operation*3

1. A valid temperature is shown. “ — “ means no sensor information or “Err” means invalid sensor data.
2. The output channel number is shown in the first segment; only visible in a three output model.
3. These items are only visible when relevant.
4. After a short delay a scrolling text is shown with the error description.

With the up/down keys the user can scroll through the monitor menu.
Holding either up or down for three seconds will start the auto scrolling mode: all Monitor menu items will be shown for 5 seconds. The auto scroll mode can be exit by pressing up or down once.
3.2. Setup menu
The setup menu can be entered by pressing “SETUP” during three seconds.

Scrolling text	Icons	Segments	Units	Function or parameter
				On/off switch
			A	Maximum charge current
			V	System voltage (read-only)
			Type	Charge algorithm
			V	Absorption voltage
			V	Float voltage
			V	Equalization voltage
				Automatic equalization
				Manual equalization
				Relay Function
			V	Low battery voltage alarm set
			V	Low battery voltage alarm clear
			V	High battery voltage alarm set
			V	High battery voltage alarm clear
				Relay minimum closed time (minutes)
				Adaptive mode

Scrolling text	Icons	Segments	Units	Function or parameter
			°C mV	Battery temperature compensation per cell
			A	Bulk time protection
			h	Absorption time
				Storage mode
			h	Maximum float time
			h	Repeated absorption time
			Day	Repeated absorption interval
			°C	Low temperature level (for item 29)
			A	Max. charge current below the low temperature level (item 28)
				Watch function (start-up in storage if battery voltage >13 V)
				BMS Present
			V	Power supply voltage
			A	Input current limit
				The intensity of the backlight
				Backlight automatic turn off after 60s
				Text scroll speed
				Buzzer
				Pecan network address
				VE. Can device instance
				Software version
				System reset to default settings
				Lock setting
				Temperature unit °C/°F

After entering the setup menu, the user can scroll through the menu with the up/down keys.
With select a menu item is entered and the present value is shown. With the up/down keys the user can scroll through the available modes or increase/decrease the value.
By pressing select again the value/item is set.
Pressing setup shortly will return to the setup menu.
When setup is completed, exit the menu by pressing “SETUP” again three seconds.
3.3. Battery selection
The charge algorithm of the charger must fit the battery type connected to the charger. The following table shows all the predefined battery types available in the charge algorithm selection menu.

3.4. Power supply mode
The charger can be set to operate as a DC power supply.
In this mode, the charger functions as a constant voltage source:

1. an adjustable output voltage of 8.0 to 15.9 V (12 V type) resp. 16.0 to 31.8 Volt (24 V type)
2. a maximum output current of 60A (12 V type) resp. 30A (24 V type).

3.5. Temperature compensation (dV/dT)
The temperature sensor should be connected to the plus or negative pole of the battery.
The temperature compensation is a fixed setting, see table and fig. 4, and applies to all charge states.
The temperature sensor must be installed when:

• ambient temperature of the battery is expected to regularly be lower than 15 °C or to regularly exceed 30 °C
• charge current exceeds 15 A per 100 Ah battery capacity
  Temperature compensation is not required for Li-Ion batteries.

3.6. Power Control – maximum use of limited shore current
A maximum mains current can be set in order to avoid interruption of an external fuse in the mains supply.

Operation

4.1. Battery charging
After applying mains power and remote shut down is not active, the display will show the following:
All icons of the screen will be visible to check the correct functioning of the display.

• The back lighting of the display is ON.
• Next the firmware version number will be displayed.
• Finally, the actual state is displayed on the screen:
• By using Voltage sensing, the actual battery voltage is shown.

Output Voltage		Charge current
Battery charger mode		State of charge
	When the mains plug is blinking, the mains voltage is below normal and the charger is reducing the maximum charge current.

• By using Voltage sensing, the actual battery voltage is shown.

4.2. Seven stage charge curve for lead-acid batteriesFigure 3 Voltage and current during different states in battery charging.
4.2.1. Bulk
Entered when the charger is started or when the battery voltage falls below 13.2 V / 26.4 V (due to a heavy load) during at least 1 minute. Constant current is applied until gassing voltage is reached (14.4 V / 18.8 V).
4.2.2. Battery Safe
If absorption voltage is set higher than 14.4 V / 18.8 V, the rate of voltage increase beyond 14.4 V / 18.8 V is limited to 7mV/14mV per minute, in order to prevent excessive gassing.
4.2.3. Absorption
After the absorption voltage has been reached, the charger operates in constant voltage mode. In case of adaptive charging, the absorption time is dependent on the bulk time, see section 3.2.
4.2.4. Automatic equalization
If automatic equalization has been set to ‘on’, the absorption period is followed by a second voltage limited constant current period: see section 3.3. This feature will charge VRLA batteries to the full 100 %, and prevent stratification of the electrolyte in flooded batteries.
Alternatively, manual equalization can be applied.
4.2.5. Float
After float charge the output voltage is reduced to storage level. This level is not sufficient to compensate for slow self-discharge of the battery, but will limit water loss and corrosion of the positive plates to a minimum when the battery is not used.
4.2.6. Storage
After float charge the output voltage is reduced to storage level. This level is not sufficient to compensate for slow self-discharge of the battery, but will limit water loss and corrosion of the positive plates to a minimum when the battery is not used.
4.2.7. Weekly battery ‘refresh’ 
Once a week the charger will enter Repeated Absorption-mode during one hour to ’refresh’ (i. e. to fully charge) the battery 4.3. Four stage charge curve for Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) batteries
4.3.1. Bulk
Entered when the charger is started, or when the battery voltage falls below 13,5 V / 27,0 V (due to a heavy load) during at least 1 minute. Constant current is applied until absorption voltage is reached (14.2 V / 28.4 V).
4.3.2. Absorption
After the absorption voltage has been reached, the charger operates in constant voltage mode. The recommended absorption time is 2 hours.
4.3.3. Storage
After absorption charge the output voltage is reduced to storage level. This level is not sufficient to compensate for slow selfdischarge of the battery, but will maximize service life.
4.3.4. Weekly battery ‘refresh’
Once a week the charger will enter Repeated Absorption-mode during one hour to ’refresh’ (i. e. to fully charge) the battery.

Maintenance

This charger does not require any specific maintenance. However an annual check of the battery and mains connections is recommended.
Keep the charger dry, clean and free of dust.

Troubleshooting

Temperature Compensation

Figure 4 Temperature compensation graph for float and absorption voltages.

Specifications

1. Output current will gradually reduce below 110 V to 50 % @ 100 V
2. Depending upon battery type as selected in the setup menu.
3. Maximum current up to 40 °C (100 °F) ambient. Output current will reduce to 60 % at 50 °C, and to 40 % at 60 °C.
4. Depending upon state of charge of starter battery

Error indication

Dimensions